Islamic Jihad backs Hamas response to US Gaza plan

4/10/2025 17:11

Palestinian Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas that also holds Israeli hostages, on Saturday endorsed Hamas’s response to a U.S. plan to end the war in Gaza – a move that could help pave the way for the release of Israeli captives still held by both groups.



"Hamas' (reaction) to Trump's plan represents the position of the Palestinian resistance factions, and the Islamic Jihad participated responsibly in the consultations that led to this decision," the Iran-backed Islamic Jihad, which is smaller than Hamas but seen as more hardline, said in a statement.



Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls Gaza, on Friday accepted certain key parts of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan, including ending the war, Israel's withdrawal and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian captives.



Hamas' stance, and its backing by Islamic Jihad, may raise the spirit of Gazans, who had watched one ceasefire effort after another fail as Israeli strikes pulverized the strip over the past two years, created a humanitarian crisis and displaced millions.